Turkish court rejects former commander's plea for release

A Turkish court rejected on Monday the request for release of former Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug, Anadolu Agency reported.

Istanbul's 13th High Criminal Court rejected Basbug's plea on the grounds that the prosecution had concluded on August 5, 2013, and there was no need to issue another decree about his imprisonment.

The petition filed by Basbug's attorney Ilkay Sezer on December 31 stated that the court verdict didn't include the probability that Ilker Basbug could have fled and destroyed evidence against him, thus requesting Basbug's release from prison.

On August 5, the same court had convicted the retired general of attempting to overthrow the government and sentenced him to life in prison at the end of the six-year-long Ergenekon trial, in which 275 suspects including retired military commanders, former police chiefs, journalists, businessmen and others were accused of plotting to depose the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party government.